What are ASTM Grades?

ASTM standards define the specific manufacturing process of the material and
determine the exact chemical composition of pipes, fittings and flanges, through
percentages of the permitted quantities of carbon, magnesium, nickel, etc., and are
indicated by "Grade".
For example, a carbon steel pipe can be identified with Grade A or B, a stainless-
steel pipe with Grade TP304 or Grade TP321, a carbon steel fitting with Grade WPB
etc..
Below you will find as an example 3 tables with chemical requirements for:

1. Flanges according to ASTM A182 Grade F304, F304L F316L

2. Pipes according to ASTM A312 Grade TP304, TP304L, TP3016L
3. Fittings according to ASTM A403 Grade WP304, WP304L, WP316L

Furthermore, a table with frequently used ASTM Grades, arranged on Pipes,

Fittings, Flanges, Valves, Bolts & Nuts, which belong together as a group.
As you may be have noted, in the table below, ASTM A105 has no Grade.
Sometimes ASTM A105N is described;
N stands not for Grade, but for normalized. Normalizing is a type of heat treatment,
applicable to ferrous metals only. The purpose of normalizing is to remove the
internal stresses induced by heat treating, casting, forming etc..

CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS COMPOSITION, %

Flanges according to ASTM A182

Grade C Mn P S Si Ni Cr

F304 0.08 2 0.045 0.03 1 8 - 11 18 -

F304L 0.03 2 0.045 0.03 1 8 - 13 18 -

F316L 0.03 2 0.045 0.03 1 10 - 15 16 -

Note:
Grades F304, F304L, and F316L shall have a maximum Nitrogen content of 0.10%.

Pipes according to ASTM A312

Grade C Mn P S Si Cr Ni

TP 304 0.08 2 0.045 0.03 1 18 - 20 8-1

TP 304L 0.035 2 0.045 0.03 1 18 - 20 8-1

TP 316L 0.035 2 0.045 0.03 1 16 - 18 10 -

Note:
For small diameter or thin walls or both, where many drawing passes are required, a Carbon maximum of 0.040%
grades TP304L and TP316L. Small outside diameter tubes are defined as those less than 0.50 in. [12.7 mm] in o
light wall tubes as those less than 0.049 in. [1.20 mm] in average wall thickness (0.044 in. [1.10 mm] in minimum

Fittings according to ASTM A403

Grade C Mn P S Si Ni Cr
(1) (1) (1) (1) (1)

WP 304 0.08 2 0.045 0.03 1 8 - 11 18 -

WP 304L 0.03 (2) 2 0.045 0.03 1 8 - 12 18 -

WP 316L 0.03 (2) 2 0.045 0.03 1 10 - 14 (3) 16 -

Notes:
(1) Maximum, unless otherwise indicated.
(2) For small diameter or thin walls or both, where many drawing passes are required, a Carbon maximum of 0.04
grades TP304L and TP316L. Small outside diameter tubes are defined as those less than 0.50 in. [12.7 mm] in o
light wall tubes as those less than 0.049 in. [1.20 mm] in average wall thickness (0.044 in. [1.10 mm] in minimum
(3) On pierced tubing, the Nickel may be 11.0-16.0%.

FREQUENTLY USED ASTM GRADES

Material Pipes Fttg Flg Valves

Carbon Steel A106 Gr A A234 Gr WPA A105 A216 Gr WCB

A106 Gr B A234 Gr WPB A105 A216 Gr WCB

A106 Gr C A234 Gr WPC A105 A216 Gr WCB

Carbon Steel A335 Gr P1 A234 Gr WP1 A182 Gr F1 A217 Gr WC1

Alloy
A335 Gr P11 A234 Gr WP11 A182 Gr F11 A217 Gr WC6
High-Temp
A335 Gr P12 A234 Gr WP12 A182 Gr F12 A217 Gr WC6

A335 Gr P22 A234 Gr WP22 A182 Gr F22 A217 Gr WC9

A335 Gr P5 A234 Gr WP5 A182 Gr F5 A217 Gr C5

A335 Gr P9 A234 Gr WP9 A182 Gr F9 A217 Gr C12

Carbon Steel A333 Gr 6 A420 Gr WPL6 A350 Gr LF2 A352 Gr LCB

Alloy
A333 Gr 3 A420 Gr WPL3 A350 Gr LF3 A352 Gr LC3
Low-Temp
Austenitic A312 Gr TP304 A403 Gr WP304 A182 Gr F304 A182 Gr F304
Stainless
A312 Gr TP316 A403 Gr WP316 A182 Gr F316 A182 Gr F316
Steel
A312 Gr TP321 A403 Gr WP321 A182 Gr F321 A182 Gr F321

A312 Gr TP347 A403 Gr WP347 A182 Gr F347 A182 Gr F347

Material Pipes Fttg Flg Valves

ASTM Materials
PIPES
 A106 = This specification covers carbon steel pipe for high-temperature
service.
 A335 = This specification covers seamless ferritic alloy-steel pipe for high-
temperature service.
 A333 = This specification covers wall seamless and welded carbon and alloy
steel pipe intended for use at low temperatures.
 A312 = Standard specification for seamless, straight-seam welded, and cold
worked welded austenitic stainless steel pipe intended for high-temperature
and general corrosive service.

FTTG
 A234 = This specification covers wrought carbon steel and alloy steel fittings
of seamless and welded construction.
 A420 = Standard specification for piping fittings of wrought carbon steel and
alloy steel for low-temperature service.
 A403 = Standard specification for wrought austenitic stainless steel piping
fittings.

FLANGES
 A105 = This specification covers standards for forged carbon steel piping
components, that is, flanges, fittings, Valves, and similar parts, for use in
pressure systems at ambient and higher-temperature service conditions.
 A182 = This specification covers forged or rolled alloy and stainless steel pipe
flanges, forged fittings, and Valves and parts for high-temperature service.
  A350 = This specification covers several grades of carbon and low alloy steel
forged or ring-rolled flanges, forged fittings and Valves for low-temperature
service.

VALVES
 A216 = This specification covers carbon steel castings for Valves, flanges,
fittings, or other pressure-containing parts for high-temperature service and of
quality suitable for assembly with other castings or wrought-steel parts by
fusion welding.
 A217 = This specification covers steel castings, martensitic stainless steel and
alloys steel castings for Valves, flanges, fittings, and other pressure-
containing parts intended primarily for high-temperature and corrosive service.
 A352 = This specification covers steel castings for Valves, flanges, fittings,
and other pressure-containing parts intended primarily for low-temperature
service.
 A182 = This specification covers forged or rolled alloy and stainless steel pipe
flanges, forged fittings, and Valves and parts for high-temperature service.

BOLTS & NUTS

 A193 = This specification covers alloy and stainless steel bolting material for
pressure vessels, Valves, flanges, and fittings for high temperature or high
pressure service, or other special purpose applications.
 A320 = Standard Specification for Alloy-Steel and Stainless Steel Bolting
Materials for Low-Temperature Service.
 A194 = Standard specification for nuts in many different material types.